As of 2015, The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retail store. With nearly 400,000 employees, 2,200 North American locations, and almost $90 billion in annual revenue, Home Depot continues to succeed as the go-to seller of nearly 35,000 different home improvement products. However, between the quantity of stores, employees, and products sold, it is only natural that accidents can happen. If you were recently injured while working at Home Depot, then it is wise to work towards filing for workers’ compensation. Before getting started, make sure you see the following 4 tips for building the strongest workers’ comp case possible. #1) Compile everything you know about the incident. Work accidents can be unexpected and scary. it is only natural that the period during and after an accident can be confusing, painful, or difficult. However, it is important to document as much as you can about the incident during this time. Start by writing down everything you know about what happened. Be as detailed as you can about the events leading up to, during, and after the accident. Speak with other coworkers or customers that witnessed the event, and try to get their information if you can. Take photographs of the location of the accident and your injuries. This information is crucial for building a thorough workers’ comp case. #2) Gauge your health and future working potential with your doctor Because Home Depot sells a variety of large, heavy equipment and lumber, it is unfortunately common for work accidents to result in severe injuries. After getting whatever medical treatment necessary (and saving copies of all medical bills for your claim), speak with your doctor to talk about the future of your injury. Will it require a long period of healing? Will it require physical therapy costs? Will it hinder your ability to work your previous job? This professional opinion will help you to request compensation not just for your current expenses, but for expenses and lost wages to come. #3) Talk to Home Depot’s HR Human resources is a necessity when figuring out how to move forward with your workers’ comp case. Not only will they notify the company of your intent to file, but they can help you to see what laws your case falls under to make sure you file all of the correct paperwork. If you are unsure about how Home Depot’s insurance is handling your claim, HR can also help to be a middle man to facilitate discussion and coming legal proceedings. #4) Contact a workers’ compensation attorney. Even with HR’s involvement, there are few things that can replace the benefits of a professional workers’ comp attorney. They have experience helping people just like you to form strong cases, file paperwork correctly, and negotiate compensation terms to make sure you get fair results. Especially when dealing with a serious work injury, it is better to play it safe and at least schedule a free consultation with an attorney to make sure you’re asking for the compensation you deserve. *The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Home Depot, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
